Common Goldeneye vs Mute Swan
Bucephala clangula compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Goldeneye | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bucephala clangula | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 41.7 cm (16.4 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 921.0 g (32.49 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish. Forages in lakes, rivers, and coastal … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 1-28 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Goldeneye
Male emits a buzzy, insect-like zeee-zeee-zeee wing whistle; female gives a grating quack. The mechanical wing-whistle produced by the male in display flight is the species' most distinctive sound.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Goldeneye
Breeds across boreal forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters on coasts and large lakes south to the Mediterranean and the Gulf states.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Common Goldeneye
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Goldeneye
Male has glossy green-black head with round white spot at bill base; body white with black back and scapulars; yellow eye. Female has chocolate-brown head, white collar, and grey body.
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
About These Birds
Common Goldeneye
A medium-sized diving duck (~920 g) of family Anatidae, males with iridescent green heads and a round white cheek spot. Breeds near boreal lakes and rivers, nesting in tree cavities across Eurasia and North America; winters on coastal and inland waters. Dives for invertebrates, fish, and plant matter. Least Concern with widespread distribution.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.